Photo: Mark Barry from Md, Vt, Ny. · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, North Bennington faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Bennington gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What North Bennington faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind North Bennington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Bennington, and North Bennington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
B lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of North Bennington’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $780K a year in losses across North Bennington: $509K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Bennington flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in North Bennington. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
North Bennington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bennington County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to North Bennington
Disasters that paid out in North Bennington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of North Bennington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene26 households applied for aid$106K aid approved
Bennington County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms.
Old photos of North Bennington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Bennington archive →Get ready for what North Bennington faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in North Bennington
Is North Bennington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Bennington has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and hurricanes (6%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is North Bennington in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Bennington County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Bennington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Bennington’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in North Bennington?
By FEMA money that reached North Bennington, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): 26 households applied for aid, $106K approved.
Is North Bennington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and North Bennington’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Bennington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Bennington’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.